Here, where the Timothy Mason\/Mel Marvin musical was originally conceived and directed by Artistic Director Emeritus Jack O\u2019Brien, it is OK to say the word \u201cChristmas,\u201d because, as they declare in the show\u2019s second song, \u201cWhos like Christmas!\u201d<\/p>\n
When the show starts, theatergoers young and old are introduced to Whoville (that\u2019s where the Whos live) by Old Max (Steve Gunderson, who\u2019s appeared in the show more than a dozen times). Packing a suitcase, Old Max is delighted when his young self (Blake Segal) appears. He wants to see the \u201cold place\u201d ere he leaves for good. The \u201cold place\u201d includes Whoville below and the cave high on Mt. Crumpit, where Max lived with the recluse green Grinch and was forced to participate in his mean, green master\u2019s scheme to prevent Christmas from happening this year and any other.<\/p>\n The show\u2019s most delightful musical numbers (\u201cThis Time of Year,\u201d \u201cI Hate Christmas,\u201d \u201cOne of a Kind,\u201d and \u201cYou\u2019re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch\u201d) are performed by Young Max, Old Max and\/or the Grinch. It\u2019s likely you\u2019ll go home singing them, along with Cindy Lou Who\u2019s \u201cSanta for a Day\u201d and the Whos\u2019 original carol, \u201cFah Who Doraze.\u201d<\/p>\n Grinch is played for the first time by Broadway and film star (\u201cThe Taking of Pelham 1 2 3\u201d) J. Bernard Calloway, who portrayed club owner Delray Jones in the Broadway production of \u201cMemphis.\u201d The first African-American Grinch, Calloway sings the part exceptionally well, and due to his NFL size is a perfect foil for diminutive Cindy-Lou (portrayed opening night by 8-year-old Mikee Castillo), who ultimately charms and transforms the Grinch, bringing about the show\u2019s happy ending. Veteran Taylor Coleman portrays Cindy-Lou in alternate performances.<\/p>\n When O\u2019Brien conceived the production, he came up with the idea of having the youngest residents of Whoville played by alternating teams of youngsters. This allows them to perform without being over-taxed and gives more kids an opportunity to perform and grow. Some return to the production for years, graduating from little Whos to Who teens. Noted San Diego musical theater actor\/director James V\u00e1squez stages the work. John Deluca created the original choreography, later enhanced by Bob Richard.<\/p>\n![\"Grinch15_15_printwebtop\"](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Grinch15_15_printwebtop.jpg\")
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(Foto por Jim Cox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Mikee](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Grinch15_14_printweb-209x300.jpg\")
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![\"Screen](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Screen-Shot-2015-11-20-at-9.11.38-AM.png\")
<\/a>Another charming creation was the distinctive Who costumes conceived by Associate Artist Robert Morgan. These Whos are not ordinary Whomans, but have insect or bug-like carapaces with swollen midsections. Their hairdos are ever fascinating as are the shoes. John Lee Beatty is the scenic designer, Pat Collins, the lighting designer, and Paul Peterson, the sound designer. Music Director Elan McMahan conducts the nine-piece union \u201cWho-chestra,\u201d which plays Anita Ruth\u2019s orchestrations. The production is performed without interval and lasts about one hour, 20 minutes.<\/p>\n